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  • The Lonely Life

  • An Autobiography
  • By: Bette Davis
  • Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
  • Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (94 ratings)
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The Lonely Life

By: Bette Davis
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
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Summary

Originally published in 1962, The Lonely Life is legendary silver screen actress Bette Davis' lively and riveting account of her life, loves, and marriages - updated with an afterword she wrote just before her death.

As Davis says in the opening lines of her classic memoir, "I have always been driven by some distant music - a battle hymn, no doubt - for I have been at war from the beginning. I rode into the field with sword gleaming and standard flying. I was going to conquer the world." A bold, unapologetic book by a unique and formidable woman, The Lonely Life details the first 50-plus years of Davis' life - her Yankee childhood, her rise to stardom in Hollywood, the birth of her beloved children, and the uncompromising choices she made along the way to succeed. The book was updated with new material in the 1980s, bringing the story up to the end of Davis' life - all the heartbreak, all the drama, and all the love she experienced at every stage of her extraordinary life.

The Lonely Life proves conclusively that the legendary image of Bette Davis is not a fable but a marvelous reality.

©1962 Bette Davis (P)2017 Hachette Audio

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What listeners say about The Lonely Life

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Disappointing

If like me you are a fan of Bette Davis don't bother with this book. I learnt nothing about her. It is the most unemotional book I have ever read. It was for me just the self congratulatory account of a narcissist's life. Unfortunately after listening to this book, I don't like Ms. Davis anymore.

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Took you to an era that was a favourite

I enjoyed the book, She was a tough woman, and a remarkable one. Got to understand the person. Recommend.

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Felt like Bette David was reading it herself which was magnificent

I loved it all, I have always loved Bette Davis films and now I know I would have loved her too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredible Woman & A REAL Star!

I finished this book in 2 days! Incredible woman & actress! One of a kind & a true star

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant Bette Davis

Very insightful , a no nonsense lady and truly amazing woman, forever remembered and appreciated, wonderfully read too

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Irritating

Hated her voice narrating. So cold and brittle. I felt jarred listening to it.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Bette Davis’s life in her own words

I like to hear the stories of famous actors in their own words, it gives an insight into not only their life experiences but their characters . I think miss Davis is guarded in how much she chooses to share but that’s her prerogative and I found it an interesting listen.

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Buckle Up. Lights, Camera, Action

I found the whole story of Bette Davis' take on Bette Davis insightful and fascinating.

By today's standards she might be called difficult - even narcissistic. What I took away was that she strong willed, hard working dedicated actress who constantly strive to raise the standards of story telling on yhe screen and on the stage. Betrayed several times by the ones she loved, Bette took solice in her work and a pragmatic "the show must go on" outlook. Excellently read delivered and paced by the narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing book

Just loved this book and I almost forgot it wasn’t bette davis talking.

I would highly recommend this one! Easy to follow and what a woman!!! Tough cookie!

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THE definitive Bette Davis

Absolutely phenomenal book. The narrator literally made me think I was listening to Bette Davis herself.
congratulations to everyone involved.

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